Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 4: Even as preparations are afoot for the swearing in ceremony of the new ministers in the state, discontentment that was brewing among ministerial aspirants has spilled out. A number of BJP leaders are utterly opposed to the inclusion of C P Yogeshwar, who was defeated in the last election, in the ministry. This problem, which has cropped up even as the party is grappling with the anger expressed by defeated candidates H Vishwanath and MTB Nagaraj, has posed new challenge to the chief minister.

C P Yogeshwar has been lined up for being made a minister from the 'original BJP' quota. The legislators from this category, who are infuriated at this proposal, revolted and held separate meeting, thus challenging the authority of the party leadership. Over ten MLAs who met at the Legislators Home here discussed the issue. Ranukacharya, Raju Gowda, Murugesh Nirani, Halappa Achar, Paranna Munavalli, Anand Mamani, Shivaraj Patil, Dattatreya Patil Revur, and Basavaraj Mattimod were among the participants. Even though the official reason was to seek ministerial position for north Karnataka legislators, their major grouse is understood to be the slated elevation of C P Yogeshwar. They have decided to meet again on Tuesday, which might complicate the current internal bickering going on within the state BJP.

B S Yediyurappa (left) and C P Yogeshwar

Speaking to media persons, Raju Gowda said that they are not opposed to offering ministerial position to Laxman Savadi but that they are opposed to making Yogeshwar a member of the state cabinet. He said that the MLAs will meet state BJP president on this issue on Tuesday to drive home their point. MP Renukacharya said that the main demand of the group is to pick MLAs from 'Kalyana Karnataka' region for the post of minister.

On Monday, H Vishwanath visited the residence of the chief minister and discussed the matter. Later, like MTB Nagaraj, he too said that he would like to wait and watch.

At the same time, Ramesh Jarkiholi is trying his best to see that his follower, Mahesh Kamathalli, is made a minister. Yediyuraqppa therefore is facing the ordeal of consoling those who won in the bypoll, those who were defeated, and also the original BJP members. Only time will tell how far he will be successful in his aim.